The Queen Back From Hell - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

The angle made it look like Arielle was hitting her, and Meredith's pained expression sealed the deal. It looked like undeniable proof.
Back then, Arielle hadn't even known what was happening.
Arielle didn't have a phone. She'd never used the internet. She had no idea what was going on online.
Arielle couldn't understand why her classmates treated her like that, why they looked at her with so much hate and disgust.
Shaking off the memory, Arielle followed the path she remembered and headed for check-in.
Her face stayed calm, emotionless—until Arielle saw that all-too-familiar and deeply hated figure.
That's when a flicker of emotion finally cracked Arielle's calm expression.
A tall, insanely handsome guy was walking toward Arielle. His looks were flawless, like a movie star that stepped off the screen.
Gavin had always been the center of attention at school.
Arielle felt her chest clench tightly. Her fists balled without her realizing. 'Gavin. After fifteen years—we meet again.'
Arielle stared at him coldly as he walked by, surrounded by a crowd like a celebrity.
People shrieked with excitement, both guys and girls buzzing around him.
Rage and bitterness swirled in Arielle's eyes. A smirk slowly tugged at her lips. 'This place… it's where it started, and it's where it'll end.'
Soon, Arielle tore her eyes away and walked straight ahead. Until she had the power, their debts would just have to wait.
Arielle slung her backpack over her shoulder. Her face looked sixteen—but no, she had just turned seventeen yesterday.
There wasn't a single emotion on her youthful face. Inside that body lived the soul of a thirty-five-year-old woman.
'I'm back to settling the score,' Arielle thought.
Arielle went to the academic office to check in, then was led to her classroom.
Inside, the class was total chaos. Some kids were whispering, some chasing each other around, some girls doing their makeup, others napping on their desks.
John, the Dean of Students, walked in with Arielle and saw the scene unfold.
But none of the students even looked up. Everyone kept doing their own thing.
These were the children of powerful families. They didn't need to worry about college—they were going to inherit their family businesses anyway.
Even if they didn't have the brains, they'd still coast through life on what their parents built.
"Alright, quiet down, everyone," John said loudly, walking up to the podium, trying to get the class's attention.
But nobody even flinched. Business as usual.
John gave Arielle an awkward smile, then continued on with the standard procedure. This was his job, after all.
John continued, "Let's welcome our new classmate. Please come up and introduce yourself."
Finally, the students in front started hearing John over the noise. More and more heads turned toward the podium.
All eyes naturally shifted to the girl standing beside John—a breathtaking beauty with a tall, graceful figure. It felt like all the world's beauty had gathered on her face.
"Holy crap, who is that? Did Mr. Smith just say she's a transfer?"
"Oh my God, she's stunning. Gorgeous!"
"I'm dead. She's exactly my type. Hands off, guys—she's mine!"
"Pfft, please. You think you're the only one who noticed? She just transferred in, and no one knows anything about her yet. But I'm definitely into her too, so get in line…"
"She's definitely not from Theoria. I know all the rich girls here. She must be from somewhere else."
"Ugh, just look at that face—screams seductress. I don't like her," Emma scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Exactly. Being pretty doesn't mean anything. Did you see that stuck-up look in her eyes? She's totally doing it on purpose to get attention. Classic mean girl move," Sophia chimed in instantly.
"She's even prettier than Patricia. Guess our school beauty might have to step down," another one said.